Barry Sanders, one of the greatest running backs in NFL history, took to social media on Thursday to announce he was ending his relationship with EA Sports.
Sanders showed his awareness by being in tune enough to tag the Madden Ultimate Team, EA Sports, Detroit Lions, NFL and NFL Players Association, and EA Madden NFL X handles in his post.
Sanders is telling fans and others that his likeness will no longer be included in Ultimate Team in Madden or the upcoming EA College Football 25 titles.
Sanders’ announcement and absence will be felt most in Ultimate Team. The Lions great’s cards are usually the most popular and effective at the running back position. Sanders is the fourth all-time leading rusher in NFL history, so his presence in the game has a nostalgic value.
It’s worth noting that Sanders’ Oklahoma State cards, had they been included, could have had a similar impact on the EA College Football game. He had appeared in the Heisman Challenge feature that was in NCAA Football 13 and 14.
That said, EA Sports can likely absorb this loss without too much of a struggle. The nature of the Ultimate Team game is to stretch players’ capabilities at Sanders’ position and beyond.
EA can create a version of any player–regardless of position–and have them function as Sanders’ cards have in the past.
It’s important to consider that a significant portion of the fanbase may not have a strong memory of Sanders as a player. His absence may be insignificant for them, especially if an equally powerful card is introduced. If we were discussing a more recent legend, there might be more of a reaction. However, it’s unlikely to pose a major problem for EA’s American football games.
In Ultimate Team, power is the biggest needle mover. Truthfully, the card the power is attached to doesn’t matter as much as it should.
Sanders’ exit could have been a bigger deal for franchise-mode players, but EA has its legends locked in Ultimate Team. Thus, the HOFers’ absence won’t impact the franchise mode fanbase.
It would be great if EA allowed legends outside of Ultimate Team. However, I guess this case has worked out. We’ll see if EA and Sanders come to an agreement that could keep him in the game.
